Common area prior notification

When pesticides are applied in the common areas of multiple occupancy
residential complexes, residents must be notified before the application by the
organiser (generally the strata or property manager or real estate agent), and during
the application by the pest management technician.

Multiple occupancy residential complexes

other multiple occupancy domestic and residential
complexes, but not dual occupancies

Common areas

Common areas include

foyers

hallways

stairwells

shared laundries and car parks

roof cavities and underfloor space

building exteriors

gardens, pathways and fences.

Your responsibilities when organising pest treatments

If you are responsible for organising pest
treatments in the common area of a multiple occupancy residential complex, you must
notify residents at least5
working days before a pesticide is applied. Notice can be given

to each individual resident in person or by fax,
email, telephone or post, or

by placing a written notice in each resident's
letterbox, or under each resident's door, or

by placing written notices on the main notice
boards at the residential complex and at the main entrances and exits to each
building in the complex

The notice should contain the following information

the name of the pesticide you are using

why the pesticide is being applied (e.g. what pests
are being treated)

phone Environment Line on 131 555 or email info@environment.nsw.gov.au

Once you have given residents notice, you can give the
pest management technician the earliest date that they can start treating the
complex. If a pest management technician applies pesticides before the legal notice period has
passed, you could be fined.

You must keep a
paper copy of any written notice you give for 3 years. If notice is
given by phone or in person, you must make a written diary entry recording the
call or conversation and who you spoke to.

Pest management technician’s responsibilities

Before starting a
job at a multiple occupancy residential complex, you must ensure the
person organising the treatment

has all the details they need of how and where you
plan to use the pesticide

has given all residents at least 5 working days'
notice of the use of pesticides in the complex

Before applying the pesticide in any common
area, you must display a notice. Your notice should include the same details as
the notice sent out by the strata or property manager. You can add extra
information if you wish.

What to do in an emergency

A pest emergency is a sudden infestation of
dangerous, biting or stinging pests such as rodents, wasps, bees, venomous
spiders and bird mites that pose risks to health and safety.

If a pest emergency occurs and pesticides need to
be used in a common area

strata or property managers do not have to give
residents prior notice

pest management technicians must still provide
notice to residents during the pesticide application

Notice should be given in the manner described
previously, that is, putting up notices on notice boards and at entrances, and
a record of the notice given to residents should be kept for three years.

Penalties and fines

If a pesticide is applied in any common area of a
multiple occupancy residential complex without notice being given to residents,
on-the-spot penalty notice fines of $800 for corporations or $400 for
individuals may apply. For serious offences, court-imposed fines of up to
$44,000 could apply to corporations and fines of up to $22,000 could apply to
individuals.